New Orleans Saints: 2010 was a magical year

Somewhere around 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2010. New Orleans rocketed spontaneously into the biggest celebration in its 300-year history. As much as the city wanted it – as much as every single citizen felt the possibility that it could happen – still, when the New Orleans Saints actually snatched victory out of the grip of the Indianapolis Colts, the moment was unbelievable. For a stunning moment, the city, and every fan across Louisiana, couldn’t quite grasp that their team had won the Super Bowl.

The moment passed, and New Orleans launched into a sea of screaming fans spilling out of homes and onto sidewalks. Two days later, an estimated 800,000 people lined a downtown parade route to thank the team for the unparalleled joy they had brought to the city. The parade began at the Louisiana Superdome and wound several miles through downtown New Orleans. Spectacular floats carried team members, coaches and staff. When Coach Sean Payton's float lingered in front of Gallier Hall – where the official parade reviewing stand held the mayor, Louisiana's U.S. senators and congressmen, and the New Orleans City Council members – all lifted champagne glasses in a toast to the coach and team.

In the following year, a tough season and a plethora of player injuries put a lot of hurdles in front of the team. The Saints made the playoffs but did not make their way into the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf Coast region, their fans remain loyal supporters who anxiously await the next season.